Steamboat-based meteorologist Mike Weissbluth, of www.snowalarm.com, wrote that warm temperatures could lead to rain in the valley with snow higher up on the mountain before the rain turns to snow in the evening in town.

“I would expect up to several inches of heavy snow on the hill by sunset, though the storm will intensify around then, keeping snows going through the night,” Weissbluth wrote. “The relatively warm storm will limit accumulations to 4 to 8 inches for the Thursday report before a break between the two storms appears Thursday morning.”

“Steamboat will see a few showers Wednesday afternoon, heavy snow Wednesday night, lighter more showery snow Thursday, then another round of heavier snow Thursday night,” wrote Joel Gratz, of www.opensnow.com. “The snow on Thursday night should be light and fluffy as colder air works in, so while Thursday will be a fun powder day, Friday morning has the potential to be even softer and deeper.”

Weissbluth wrote that although forecast models show snowfall tapering off Friday morning, there is a chance for some of the “Steamboat magic” that can occur, boosting snow totals after the Friday morning report at the ski area.

Warmer, drier temperatures should prevail Saturday, but waves of winter weather are queued up for Sunday and Tuesday.